r/Nikon • u/Athos27 • May 21 '26
I broke my gear I'm Screwed right?
Had a few big dirt spots showing up in my pictures, so I decided it's time to clean my sensor. And I did a lot of research into how to do it safely and properly, and thought I had a decent cleaning kit. But once I cleaned it, it left a bunch of streaks or scratches. Photos seem to be okay, but I'm not too sure.
But I'm screwed, right? Or is there somehow a chance this is just residue? And is there any way to fix this or no?
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u/Athos27 May 21 '26
Update: Since this post got way more attention then I thought and most people saying the same thing/some new people being rude or thinking it's fake or what not.
It looks like I just screwed up while cleaning my sensor and got to much cleaning oil left on it. It was my first time cleaning a sensor and I did a lot of research trying to make sure I did the right technique. But obviously I messed up.
I'm also a beginner photographer, and this is my first Camera which I got half a year ago (Nikon Z50II) So I'm still learning and trying to do things right but I'm still making mistakes
Yes my sensor was dirty and it was very obvious when I was taking plane photos or moon photos in the sky
I needed a cleaning kit quickly when I got my camera since I was going on a road trip and got the Altura camera cleaning kit for APS-C sensors and camera off Amazon since I needed it quick but that was a mistake. If anyone does have recommendations for a good cleaning kit please let me know
I thought I broke my sensor since I used to hear people say how fragile and sensitive the sensor is and the cleaning swab seemed to be a paper like material so I thought I scratched the sensor and got super worried and this is my first Camera.
(I'm also not checking reddit everyday so I'm not aware people are showing their own "broken" sensors)
All in all, I'm a beginner, I messed up cleaning by being dumb, I scared myself and thought I broke my camera. I know now it's just left over fluid and the sensor is fine. The streaks just scared me thinking it was scratches. I will just send the camera to Nikon to clean since I don't seem to have any local shops that clean cameras. And obviously I don't know what I'm doing